The Bird Surveyors

12/9/14                                                                                             134km
Up at my usual 6.45 and sat in the truck for an hour waiting for work, eventually getting a 2ton job to Brighton from Tullamarine, then sat for another hour then I got a call to pick up a 4ton job to Dandenong, they gave me the wrong paperwork so had to go back and lost more time as they sorted out the mess. At Brighton I had to wait for another truck to unload, then to Dandenong where I had to wait for them to shift cars around in the warehouse to make room for the freight, and they had borrow a forklift from next door, it took for ever to get the load off. I did a 2ton and 4ton local in Dandenong and it was nearly 14.00, and time to go. When I got to the depot they had all gone home so it was a ¾hr walk to the station, at North Melbourne station there was an announcement that the train wouldn’t be going any further due to a medical emergency, so it was 17.15 when I got home. Packed the car and off by 20.15 and drove to Lake Modewarre.
13/9                                                                                                321km
Up at dawn 6.30, a good population of White-fronted Chats, a few Red-necked Stints, more than a few Red-capped Plovers. The water was 200m from the car park and the ducks were all too far away to count, got some Black-winged Stilts, Masked Lapwings and Swans within 500m. A few bush birds such as Grey Shrike-thrush, left at 8.00 to Lake Gherang which was mostly dry, got Restless Flycatcher. Wurdiboluc Dam had Great Crested grebe, Blue-billed Duck and White-winged Tern, Fan-tailed and Horsfield’s Cuckoos. My spot at Lake Colac Town Bird Reserve was productive with Reed warbler, Cisticola and Little Grassbird, Intermediate Egret. Floating Islands were dry as usual now, but got some nice bush birds like Crescent Honeyeater and Yellow Robin. Had lunch at Purrumbete Lake and got Freckled duck, Blue-billed Duck and Musk Duck. Took the back road via Spring Creek Rd Woolthorpe to Mt Eccles and had a look at Surprise Lake, then down to Sawpit camp in Mt Clay SF to camp at 19.00. Top temp today was 14 degrees, it was cloudy but calm all day. There are 10 other campers here but it’s large enough to not seem crowded, a recent bushfire has torn through half the habitat and taken out the old toilet block, so it’s a nice new one.

Sawpit camp Mt Clay SF Vic

14/9                                                                                                    243km
Up at dawn and spent an hour wandering around adding Gang Gang Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Long-billed Corella and Galah, also lots of Crimson Rosellas, found that the fire had started down the gully, so it was well alight before it went through the campground, stopped in at Fawthrop Lagoon in Portland then out to my old spots at Swan Lake and Swan Lake beach, the long walk to the beach was worth it with 52 Sanderlings and 4 Hooded Plovers on the undisturbed beach, went down to Danger Point and Stony Point in SA to search for waders and got Red-necked Stints, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and a single Curlew Sandpiper, also all 5 of the Cormorant species, after lunch we did some uninspiring sites at Carpenter Rocks, Poonada Rd, German Flat amid the wind farm here, Geltwood Beach Canunda NP and Canunda Tip Road Eagle Corner, which didn’t live up to its name. Stopped at Lake Frome, where I watched some male Swans play power games, there were three families in the channel, 2 were in dispute I think over rights to an island in the channel, the males were all fluffed up and banging in to each other, the winning one chased the female away from her chicks, when I came back they were still fluting but not chasing. It was cool and windy by mid morning, though at lunch time in the lee of the car it was quite pleasant. Later the cloud came rolling in with a few spots of rain.

Sanderlings on Swan Bay beach

15/9                                                                                                     380km
We’d had showers all night but they were gone by dawn, up at 6.00 and walked to the bird hide, got 47 species but nothing exciting, did the Big Dip Lake walk and heard Rufous Bristlebird, but couldn’t find any Beutiful Firetails, picked up fuel in Robe for $1.59.9c/L, and some fruit and vegies at Robe Foodland. At Cape Jaffa we both saw the Bristlebird and got a White-winged Triller. The Granites where we had lunch also had a Bristlebird. Went to Salt Creek then Jack Point, the wind was picking up which made the birding poor for the rest of the afternoon. At Poltalloch got 75 Pelicans sheltering from the wind with mainly Grey Teal and 23 Shovelers. At the north end of the lake at Lake Alexandrina Reserve the wind was howling from the south, over 300 Whiskered Terns were amassing on the promontory, as if wanting to cross the lake, but instead in dribs and drabs they filtered around the shore. At my site on Westcreek Rd Boggy Lake, a huge flock of 2,000 Starlings went by. We got in to Tolderol Game Reserve just on dark and parked up against a large lignum shrub to try and mitigate the wind, but we still copped a buffeting.

Painted Dragon The Granites SA

16/9                                                                                                    292km
The wind died not too long after dark, in the morning a few showers came through catching me out as I strolled the embankments, heard Lewin’s Rail, and Spotted Crake, back for brekkie and got some Elegant Parrots and Blue-winged parrots together. Went to Finniss Rail and got 22 species in 20min including a pair of Blue-winged parrots. Had a look at Goolwa sewerage ponds but there were no highlights, Parson’s Beach’s only highlight was a probable Brown Snake that I caught a glimpse of as it slid into some shrubs. Yankalilla Bay had nothing interesting. Drove in to Adelaide and picked up an extra spare tyre on rim from Volkstorque for $110. Picked up provisions and filled up with fuel including jerry cans and up to Parham to camp by the sea, in a popular campsite with the inevitable dogs generators and the like.
17/9                                                                                                     352km
Got 300 Red-necked Stints on the mudflats with the tide in, and some White-browed Babblers in the campground in the morning. Drove to Clinton CP where the tide was still in, on the small pond 100 Avocets and 19 Banded Stilts were found. Zigged to Bird Island CP and got Variegated Fairywren for the first time, then zagged over to Mona ruins where Yellow-throated Miners and Brown Songlarks put in their first appearance. Bahunga Gap got us Dusky Woodswallow, Rufous Whistler and Rufous Songlark. On to Snowtown where there were only town birds, then zigged again to the Port Broughton boat ramp, where Black Kite was added to the survey list, though we’d seen it a few times since Adelaide. The Broughton River Merriton spot had 21 species which wasn’t bad for mid afternoon. Weeroona Island produced White-backed Swallow, which I always get a little thrill seeing. At Port Germein Pier the tide was too far out for my survey to get any waders, did get a pair of Variegated Fairywrens. Camped at Germein Gorge, where a bushfire had started in the campground, more than likely by an escaped campfire, got more Blue-winged Parrots, Ringnecked Parrot, Sacred Kingfisher and Weebil. 19 species by sundown including an early calling Boobook Owl. Had a light shower with a top temperature of 20 degrees, quite a strong breeze by the coast, but it was calm and clear by bed time.
18/9                                                                                                      283km
After a clear night it wasn’t as cold as expected, in the morning it was 10 degrees, it got to 21 degrees in the Flinder’s Ranges later. Only added Welcome Swallow, Grey Butcherbird, Willy Wagtail, and Magpie to the list on my morning stroll. Got away early at 7.10 and went to Winninowie CP. The Winninowie CP Road survey had Blue-winged Parrots and 3 groups of White-winged Fairywrens, the Winninowie CP beach survey had 26 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters milling around. Headed inland saying goodbye to the coast for a few weeks, at Boolcunda Ck there were some Yellow-throated Miners nesting and a plethora of Pipits, and a Rufous Songlark. paid our dues at Wilpena Pound for our campsite later on today, then found my site in the Wilpena Pound campground and got those scalawags of the campgrounds Apostlebirds with Rufous Whistler, Inland Thornbill and Australian Raven new for the trip. Spent nearly 2 hours including lunch at Stokes Hill but couldn’t find any Short-tailed Grasswrens, At Okaparinga Rd had another fruitless search for them, got 9 Emus with 6 half grown chicks, had a look at Trezona campground and got Red-rumped Parrots feeding young and watched a Magpie eat a huge centipede, softening it up by running it from side to side through its bill, before swallowing it head first. Stopped at East Brachina campground at 15.50 and had time to relax and had 23 species by sundown including 3 nests of Tree Martins in the huge trees by the creek, more Emus with 3 chicks. New ones were Southern Whiteface and Chestnut-rumped Thornbill away from the creek.

Spinifex at Okaparinga rd Flinders ranges SA

19/9                                                                                                       247km
Over night a Black Duck flew overhead calling, not the usual way to add the bird to a survey. The dawn was cool and clear, only added Black and Whistling Kites to the list. Went down to my spot in Brachina Gorge where the water often gets pushed out of the substrate, getting Grey Butcherbird, then to Commodore Rail for the first of the arid surveys, only getting 3 species, but one was Chirruping Wedgebill. We were a bit late getting to Breakfast Time Ck at 9.20 we’d had ours hours ago, got 30 Zebra Finches. Since the Aroona Dam was closed I had a look at the flood dam north of Copely, finding Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel and 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. My spot south of Lyndhurst on the old railway line produced Cinnamon Quail-thrush with 2 young and a Rufous Fieldwren. Went out to the Chestnut-breasted Whiteface area at the Old Lyndhurst mine but dipped only getting 4 species with Black-faced Woodswallow in just over an hour of searching. My large dam 2km north of Farina site had 400 Little Corellas, 80 Zebra Finches, 4 Hardhead, 23 Coot, 2 Australian Grebes and a single Pink-eared Duck. We camped at Paradise Waterhole, but I suspect the place would need to be a paradise for there to be any water in it, got 2 Cinnamon Quail-thrushes and a Diamond Dove.
20/9                                                                                                    310km
The dawn broke cloudy and vaguely threatening, but by the arvo it had cleared, getting to 26 degrees. On my morning round I did the southern watercourse, still no water, but got Hooded Robin in the sparse woodland. The grid Marree Station site only had 13 Galahs which turned up late in the survey. 50km west of Marree another barren landscape had a Pipit and a single Galah. At the Lake Eyre south lookout I found a pair of Thick-billed Grasswrens. Margaret Ck had large pools of water and had Greenshank and Black-tailed Native Hen amongst 19 species. Bubbling Springs at Wabma Kadarbu CP had another Thick-billed Grasswren, a White-necked Heron and a Masked Lapwing pair which swooped me suggesting a nest nearby. Warriners Ck also had pools of water with 16 species including Common Sandpiper, Yellow Spoonbill, Avocet and 55 Little Corellas. The dams on the Lake Eyre Track had overflown and had 17 species including 106 Pink-eared Duck, 14 Orange Chat, 10 Little Crows and a White-backed Swallow, I was so intent on counting the birds that I didn’t notice that I’d stood on a Bull Ant’s nest until I felt one crawling up my leg, I had them swarming all over my feet, luckily I only got bitten twice. Camped at Halligan’s Bay at 17.00, the last time we were here it was stinking hot and I only got 2 species, this afternoon we did better, finding 5 species: Little Crow, White-winged Fairywren, Orange Chat, Rufous Fieldwren and Zebra Finch.

Springs at Wabma Kadarbu CP SA

21/9                                                                                                    153km
A cloudless dawn meant no spectacular sunrise over the lake, added Cinnamon Quail-thrush and Chirruping Wedgebill to the list and headed out. At ABC bay there were no birds, which was the same result as last time, it’s the only site that after 2 surveys I have no birds to report. At the gibber hills site there were 3 species including White-backed Swallow, at the gibber plains site there were Emu and a pair of Bourke’s Parrots. A new site at Anna Ck Station floodway added Crested Bellbird and Rainbow bee-eater for the first time on the trip. The double dam site 6okm west of William Ck was bone dry but there must have been water somewhere about to get Diamond Dove and Zebra Finch. It was 13.00 when we got to the Lake Cadibarrawirracanna channel to camp, we lazed the sunny afternoon away with occasional forays to search for birds. After a 27 degree day it was a balmy evening, so Bev cooked and we ate dinner outside. A Curlew Sandpiper and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper provided some interest on the salty water’s shore, and a lone Southern Whiteface was found foraging on the bank.

A rather unspectacular sunrise at Lake Eyre SA

Rocks at ABC bay Lake Eyre SA

Silica formation ABC bay Lake Eyre SA

Silica Formation ABC bay Lake Eyre SA

Parched ground at gibber plains site

27/9                                                                                                       99km
During the night Avocets and Black-winged Stilts were moving up and down the channel calling, and some were still in range in the morning, an Orange Chat added some colour, and a pair of Red-necked Stints rounded out an interesting waders list. The dam 100km west of William Creek was dry, and had some Cockatiels and Stubble Quail at Engenina Ck. At the site 43k east of Coober Pedy we got a flock of 15 Flock Bronzewings which is the edge of their range. The dog fence site was uninspiring, as was the creek 155km west of William Creek. Found the Oasis Campground in Coober Pedy where Russell and his family was staying, and parked next to his camper and had a nice shower for 60c, did our washing for $5 and paid $30 for our patch of dirt for the night, went and paid some bills and stocked up with food, bought another 20L jerry can and filled up with fuel at 1.69.9c/L, had lunch with Russell and went for a stroll back up the street finding both Magpie larks and Welcome Swallows nesting, after dinner it was 21.00 before we got to bed.

Lake Cadibarrawirracanna channel

Lake Cadibarrawirracanna channel

Lake Cadibarrawirracanna channel

Camping spot Lake Cadibarrawirracanna channel

Lake Cadibarrawirracanna hinterland

23/9                                                                                                      159km
Up at dawn and off by 7.00 and straight on to the Anne Beadell Hwy, the road to Mabel Ck was good and I was getting 9.3L/100k, but it slowly deteriorated and by the end of the day at Tallaringa Well some of the corrugations were quite nasty, did sites Tallaringa Track 145707, 145708, Woolshed Bore, Hawk’s Nest Bore Tk, then at the dog fence the track dives south for a few kms to the dog fence gate where we did our survey then back up to meet the track again, why they couldn’t put a gate at the track so that people could drive straight through is perplexing, back on track we then did Anne Beadell Hwy sites 56728 and 56727 inside the Tallaringa CP. Some of the sites are new and some from 14 years ago. Most had 5 or more species, new birds for the trip were Red-capped Robin, Crimson Chat, White-fronted Honeyeater, Splendid Wren, Masked Woodswallow, Red-backed Kingfisher, Chiming Wedgebill. A cold change came through mid morning but brought no rain to us, just a lot of wind. Russell got a flat tyre in the side wall from getting too close to the vegetation. I convinced him to camp at 14.30 at Tallaringa Well and do the side trip tomorrow.

Mulla Mulla Anne Beadell Hwy SA

Sturt’s Desert Pea Anne Beadell Hwy SA

Strurt’s Desert Pea Anne Beadell Hwy SA

Dwarf Bearded Dragon Anne Beadell Hwy SA

24/9                                                                                                         112km
I added Grey Shrike-thrush, Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo and Pipit on my morning round to get 23 species all up. It was 8.00 before we got away. We had some brief light rain, then a few light showers and windy, it was cloudy until late in the arvo. It took 3hrs to get to the first spot on the Igy Corner Track.  Woomera 56725 was about 40k sw of the camp. I got stuck on a sand dune as there was no track for most of the way just a hint of where the track might have been every now and again, with shrubs now growing over it, so it was a matter of finding a route through the shrubs, there was a lot of door scraping on the vegetation. At least it was a nice spot with 10 species, the second Woomera 56724,also had 10 species, and then the habitat deteriorated, Woomera 56723 was poor and the last one Woomera 56722 had 4 species including a Spotted Harrier, other new birds were Chestnut Quail-thrush, Little Button Quail and Mulga Parrot, which flashed across the front of the car, I jammed on the brakes flew out of the car, and sprinted across the sand to get a positive ID on them, we finished the last survey at 14.30 which is about 53k from the campsite, we had a group photo and headed back, I managed to get stuck at the same spot in the sand dune, we got back at 18.30, the car looked awful with great green stripes along the sides and particularly the wing mirrors which don’t fold in, bad design.

group photo at gps 29 12 33 132 49 48 on the Igy Corner Track

25/9                                                                                                          141km
Because we’d got back so late last night and I’d already done a survey here I didn’t do another, so we got away at 7.10 and battled corrugations all day, the really really bad ones often have a detour around them, but they are often corrugated too, so there’s another detour, and then another. Trying to pick the best detour isn’t always obvious. It was cool and cloudy all morning with a bit of drizzle here and there. At one spot I got disorientated in tall scrub and had to use the hand held 2way to get Bev to sound the car horn to guide me in, bit embarrassing. The survey sites today were in order, Anne Beadell Hwy 56730, 56731, site 1, 56732, 56733, 56734, site 2, ground zero obelisk, Old Emu station, 56739 and site 3. The long numbers are old sites the short numbers new sites. There’s usually no land mark at the site it’s just an arbitrary spot. In areas that are poorly atlassed I try to do surveys every 20km or so. The sites were mostly good birding, adding Bustard, Slaty-backed Thornbill and White-browed Treecreeper, we started getting a lot more Mulga Parrots, got the first Wedge-tailed Eagle for a while, White-winged Trillers have become common along with Chiming Wedgebills and Crested Bellbirds. The ground zero obelisk site had no birds last time, this time it had White-winged Fairywren, Crested Bellbird, and Budgerigar. We camped 5k w of Emu at site 3. After my survey I couldn’t find the camp, yes I got disorientated again, and I used my 2way to get the car horn sounded again, I wasn’t far off mark, but it shows how easy it is to get lost out here.

Anne Beadell Hwy eye candy SA

Ground zero obelisk for atomic blast SA

26/9                                                                                                     151km
A cool sunny morning became a 34.5 degree day, driving was easier with only a few bad corrugations, but the going was still slow with a lot of twisty turns, we did 8 surveys, Anne Beadell Hwy 56740, site 4, 56745, 56744, 56743, 56742 and 56741. At 16.45 we camped at Vokes Hill corner. I was tired and we sat in the shade to wait for the sun to go down to set up camp. The vegetation changed from mainly Mulga to mixed Mulga and Mallee with some Spinifex patches; with the Mallee we started getting more honeyeaters: Brown, Grey-fronted and White-fronted. We got Weebil for the first time in a while and a Black-eared Cuckoo, at one spot we got 12 Chiming Wedgebills then none after that, the woodswallows have also petered out, Yellow-throated Miners and Grey Shrike-thrushes are coming back as are Chestnut-rumped Thornbills. At the junctions Len Beadell set up posts with directions and here at least a visitors box, I found my entry from 14 years ago and added today’s.

A plethora of Pigface Anne Beadell Hwy SA

Entering Mamungari Conservation park Anne beadell Hwy SA

Struggling to survive on the Anne Beadell Hwy SA

27/9                                                                                                    139km
Today was difficult in the 38 degree heat, the track was rutted in places and the rest was corrugated, it was as tiring as peak hour traffic all day, so I was quite exhausted by the end of the day. The highlights were pale yellow and purple flowering Hakeas, a Thorny Devil which I thought I’d run over but seemed okay and did its strange jerking walk off into the scrub. Sites were Anne Beadell Hwy site 5 with 9 species, site 6 with 8 species, site 7 had 6 species with Scarlet-chested Parrot, site 8 was down to 4 species, site 9 had 4 species with Slaty-backed Thornbill, site 10 was our campsite, arriving at 16.55 just after the 50k of no camping, I got a Brown Goshawk with a small chick clutched in its claws being chased by its Pied Butcherbird parents, also a Pallid Cuckoo and Slaty-backed Thornbill. At some puddles in the ruts there were Zebra Finches, and Jacky Winters are starting to turn up along with Inland Thornbills. At one time I chased a camel down the track for 6k, we met some people coming the other way, it went around them and waited for me on the other side of them and I chased it for another 2k before I found a spot wide enough to gun the car past the exhausted animal. From Vokes Hill all this territory is new so the sites are new too.

Black-shouldered Ground Dragon Anne Beadell Hwy SA

28/9                                                                                                      128km
Ended the survey with 15 species. A cool cloudless morning turned in to a pleasant 29 degree day, the track was still difficult but generally easier. There was a really good track followed by some of the worst corrugations so far and on in to the setting sun. The birding was good with 12-15 species in surveys. Anne Beadell Hwy site 11 had Red-backed Kingfisher, At Serpentine Lakes 1 I got Orange Chat, On the first WA survey at site 12 we got a pair of young Scarlet-chested Parrots. About 12km down the road I slammed on the brakes and leapt out of the car as 3 Princess Parrots took off then crossed back over the car, they landed on a nearby dune, everyone except Russell saw them, I’d not counted on seeing them but had been hoping to find this rare, hard to get to and beautiful parrot. Thus site 13 was created. We had lunch there and watched a Thorny Devil dig a hole, again I had narrowly missed running it over. As we drove off we got another Princess Parrot in a tree, I tried to photograph it but because it was in the tree the camera wouldn’t focus on it, I need a better camera! At site 14 I pished in some Weebills that came within touching distance, they really are quite cute close up they even fed their young right in front of me. We walked over a few dunes at Wanna Lakes in the heat of the afternoon, didn’t find anything interesting, but just down the road a wren crossed the road, I stopped and pished and we both got good views of Striated Grasswren at site 15, and Bev found another one later in the survey. Site16 was camp. The Grey-fronted and White-fronted Honeyeaters remained dominant throughout the day.

Crested Bicycle Dragon Anne Beadell Hwy

Scarlet-chested Parrot Anne Beadell Hwy

Serpentine Lakes Anne Beadell Hwy

29/9                                                                                                   123km
Another pleasant cool morning warming up to 32 degrees, the morning’s walk produced 4 Scarlet-chested parrots more Chestnut Quail-thrush and the first Gilbert’s Whistler. Down the track we walked over some dunes to an un-named lake that  produced the first Rufous Treecreeper, Bev got to see it independently of me and didn’t know what it was, being a new bird for her, so I played the hint game for her to finally figure out what it was. Anne Beadell Hwy site 17 had Hooded Robin. There were some horrible stretches of corrugations to Ilkurlka roadhouse where we filled up with fuel at $3.00/L the most I’ve ever paid for fuel, I also got a $5 sticker for the camper. Around the roadhouse there were heaps of Zebra Finches and the first Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike for a while. We all had a hot shower from the wood fired heater, I thought we were going to camp here so paid $20 each to camp, Josie decided there wasn’t enough shade so I should have only paid $10 each for the shower, had a quick check of my emails on Russell’s computer via the wi-fi, then an easy cruise at 60kph to camp 50k west of the road house via site 18 which had a Kestrel. We were lazing in the shade at camp 1 when from my chair I spotted a pair of Scarlet-chested Parrots, but with Russell and Vanessa in tow I couldn’t find them again, everyone did get to see a Chestnut Quail-thrush that wandered in to camp, also in camp was a Masked Woodswallow nest just 1m off the ground with 3 chicks in it, and we had a Bustard fly overhead just on dark.

Scarlet-chested Parrot Anne Beadell Hwy

30/9                                                                                                   287km
Another cool start and a cloudless peak of 34 degrees though most of the day was 30 degrees. The driving was easy all day, but the environment was badly fire scarred at most survey sites and it looks like in several areas they’ve had too many fires in quick succession, permanently damaging the environment. There is a stark contrast between the number of species on today’s sites compared to the land unmanaged with fire sites to the east of Ilkurlka Roadhouse. Site 19 only had 3 species, site 20 had 4 species, site 21 was better with 12 species, site 22 was back to 4 species. At Neale Junction there is a huge Marble Gum which we’d had a group photo at 14 years ago, so we took another group photo. There were only 4 species here. Site 23 only had Yellow-throated Miners, site 24 had 8 species, site 25 had 3 species, site 26 was devoid of birds the only no birder for the day, with the habitat generally being so poor I’m surprised we didn’t get more, the only highlight today was Bishop Riley’s Pulpit which had a pair of Little Woodswallows, otherwise all the birds today were open country common species, able to cope with the excessive fire regime in place in this region, in particular the Yellow-throated Miner has now become prevalent, whereas east of Ilkurlka Roadhouse it was virtually absent, because the woodland was too dense for it. Yeo Ranges Lakes Nature reserve site only had Yellow-throated Miners and a Crested Bellbird. It was another late arrival at 18.45 into Yeo station.

Len Beadell marker Neale Junction WA

Bishop Riley’s Pulpit Anne Beadell Hwy WA

View from Bishop Riley’s Pulpit

1/10                                                                                                       328km
Had 10 Bourke’s Parrots whizz through the campsite and the samphire flat was 14 Pipits strong but for an overnight survey, only 4 species is very poor birding. The first survey at site 27 had a Little Eagle and a pair of Hooded Robins with a Red-backed Kingfisher calling, from there though the quality of the habitat diminished, and so did the birds, with fire again a major factor, Site 28 and site 29 had 2 species each, site 30 had a 50% increase in bird species with 3, whoopee do! The site at White Cliffs Station was back to 2 species. At Point Kidman we got a Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush. In Laverton we got 1L milk, a loaf of bread and 2 apples for $12, the bread was nearly $7.00 the apples $8.15/kg. My fuel mileage the last few days has been 8.6L/100k. Stopped on the main road 19km east of Laverton and got Black-shouldered Kite. A floodway east of Leonora had 8 species. The bitumen was a good road, especially compared to the Anne Beadell Hwy. Got to Malcolm dam which had 8 water bird species, but not many bush birds in the late arvo.
2/10                                                                                                      278km
In the morning I added a heap of bush birds such as Western Bowerbird and the return of Rufous Songlark, Magpie Lark, and Diamond Dove mostly in the woodland below the dam. Raeside Lake had some water by the road but no waterbirds 8 species all up. We couldn’t find the well at Britannia Well but got 9 species in the area. In Kookynie I decided to look for the cemetery, but took a wrong track and in trying to take a shortcut back to the highway rather than backtrack I got my towbar wedged in a creek crossing and had to winch myself off, found I couldn’t get back to the highway anyway, so went back and took the correct track to the Kookynie Cemetery but only got a single Chestnut-rumped Thornbill for all that effort. Niagara Dam was a disappointment, looking well over used, but did get a Brown Honeyeater. Back to the main road and my site on Granny Mine Rd Menzies produced a Red Throat. Goongarie Lake only had White-fronted Honeyeater. Just south of Siberia I chose a good spot with 10 species of honeyeater and Purple-crowned Lorikeet in 2 flowering gums. We got to Rowles lagoon at 17.15 after a 35 degree day with increasing cloud, in time for a short relax before dinner, Russell arrived at 19.00. The big news for the day was notification that settlement on my rental property in Stanley had gone through, so I’m now $193,000 richer and a house poorer.

3/10                                                                                                     443km
My morning’s walk didn’t produce much with only 17 species in total, which is poor for a wetland, I think there probably isn’t enough variety in the plants here, down to Kunanalling and got 6 species. I rang Smathi and he may be able to come out on the weekend to meet us. Got some fruit and vegies in Coolgardie, the oranges were expensive considering they’re local but they were nice. Filled up at the Puma service station $1.57.9c/L couldn’t get the gas bottle filled, only the swap kind here. At Coolgardie gorge I got White-necked Heron and Common Sandpiper in the pond. At Victoria Rock I got Brown Goshawk, heard the weird calls of the Grey Currawong and got Mistletoebird for the first time. Stopped along the Victoria Rock Rd for 3 species. Had lunch 50m up McDermid Rock Tk and had Tree Martins nesting, a Golden Whistler and a Bee Eater. The site along the Norseman-Hyden road had Blue-breasted Fairywren. The site at Lake Cronin Nature Reserve had 5 species. The bird common to all surveys today and in good numbers was White-fronted Honeyeater; it’s been common and conspicuous for much of the WA part of the trip. Got to Holleton via Mt Holland, but we were running late so had to skip doing a survey every 50k to get here before dark, just after dark Boobook Owl calling for the first time in WA and Tawny Frogmouth the first for the trip.

Woodland at McDermid Rock track WA

4/10                                                                                                    450km
Had to put the jumper on this morning, added a few birds including Shy Heathwren and Southern Scrub Robin, not far down the track was an Elegant Parrot in a puddle on the track so did a second survey around it at Holleton 2. At Woolocutty Soak Nature Reserve we got 13 species. Drove down to Wave Rock which has become a tourist trap which was disappointing and cost $10 to see, still it’s a spectacular piece of natural architecture, went for a walk over the top and was surprised to see a dam which is produced by having a little concrete wall around the rim of the rock guiding the runoff into it, though the wall did kind of ruin the ambiance, it was home to Grey Teal, Little Pied Cormorant, Australian Grebe and Black-fronted Dotterel. It was a long drive west from there, filled up the gas bottle in Hyden and headed west. At Graham rd Kondinin got 28 Parrot, Kerr rd Wickepin had 6 species. Got some food at Narrogin Coles, whilst Bev shopped I got 8 species in the area including Laughing Dove, William’s River Boraning had 17 species. of note today is that the Grey Fantail has a different call here from the birds in the east of Australia. At Coolup just on sunset we got a flock of black Cockatoos, but they turned out to be Red-tailed, still nice to see them for the first time. Got to Lake Mclarty S at 18.45 just after dark and propped by the gate on the south side.

Wave Rock WA

Orchids atop Wave Rock WA

5/10                                                                                                        40km
We had to batten down the windows for some heavy showers overnight. In the morning it was blue sky and I got 30 species including Osprey, Regent Parrot, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and a pheasant which may arouse some interest being on the mainland. Smathi and Glenda arrived at 7.30 and we went to Lake Mclarty west and got Hobby Falcon, Black-winged Stilt, Whiskered Tern, Yellow Spoonbill, Western Corella all up 33 species. Driving through Waroona I stopped at a service station to fill up but it was closed, went past the expensive Caltex and found it was the only one open so went back, I found the pump in the open which is usually the diesel and in the pouring rain I put in 40L, about 1k down the road the car coughed, Bev had told me I’d put the wrong fuel in but I didn’t believe her. I pulled over and rang VW assist, they organised a tow back to Mandurah, coincidentally that was where Glenda lived so we got what we needed out of the car and spent a pleasant afternoon and evening swapping stories, went for a walk along the inlet at Len Howard reserve and got Greenshank and 31 other species, Smathi went home after dinner and we stayed the night, getting our washing done and having a nice hot shower.

Osprey at Lake Mclarty WA

6/10                                                                                                      186km
Had a nice sleep in. The car was ready at 9.30 so I got a bus back to town paid my $360 for the tow the draining of the fuel and $20 of diesel so along with the 40L I put in yesterday an expensive lesson in making sure you put the right fuel into a vehicle, still there shouldn’t be any long term damage. Back to Glenda’s, packed and said our very grateful goodbyes and headed off to Trotter rd Yarloop, and then to Hoffman’s Mill which was where we were heading yesterday, I got two brand new birds: White-breasted Robin and Red-winged Fairywren, and we had a close encounter with a Tiger Snake that played dead in the middle of the track, but had its neck flattened. drove south through the forest and stopped at a Harris Catchment creek but only got 4 species. Went to Bev’s friend Pam’s place in Collie and chatted for a few hours then drove down to Stockton dam which looks a bit ratty but had 12 species before dark including Long-billed (Baudin’s) Black Cockatoo, Purple Swamphen, Musk Duck and White-cheeked Honeyeater.

Waxlip Orchid WA

WA Magpie (Cymnorhina tibicen dorsalis)

7/10                                                                                                    260km
My light sleeping-bag wasn’t warm enough last night, a light fog was coming off the warm water of the lake which always adds an ethereal look to a place, added 16 more species including Elegant Parrot and Pallid Cuckoo. At Bennelaking I stopped by a swamp and got Western Wattlebird there were Donkeys Ears orchids and Pale Lemon Scented Orchids, it happened that Pam came down the same road so helped ID the orchids. Went to Towerrinning Lake and got 21 species including Sitellas for the first time, a short hop to Modiarup south and added Western Thornbill. Had lunch at Newgalup where we got Little Black Cormorants in the river and White-winged Trillers for the first time in a while. Stopped to shop at Bridgetown IGA which gave us a 4c fuel docket for the local Caltex, which made filling up $1.54.9c/L. Saw Tree Martins using a hole in the horizontal arm of a metal telephone pole to nest in, and Red-capped Parrots feeding young. Went to McAtee Brook Jalbarragup and got Red-winged Fairywren, White-breasted Robin and the first Scarlet Robin. Camped by the Blackwood River at Rosa Brook, and heard Boobook Owl and Musk Duck, it took me ages to remember this very un-duck-like call, it’s very frustrating when you know you know the call, usually you can see a Musk Duck out in the water and see it splashing as it calls, this one was around the bend in the river, so a test for me.

8/10                                                                                                 290km
I changed back to my warmer sleeping bag last night, which was too warm. Added White-naped Honeyeater, Scarlet Robin and Fan-tailed Cuckoo amongst others in the morning to get me to 18 species, took a few photos of the flowers. On the way out of the forest at Upper Chapman Brook I took a chance and was rewarded with Red-eared Finch, a good tick. Drove to Margaret River, but the town hadn’t woken up yet, went down to the Margaret River estuary but only got 6 species of bird, but saw two whales just off the coast. Down to Cape Leeuwin, which is fenced off at the lighthouse, saw Sooty Oystercatcher and heard Southern Emu-wren. Had a look at Pagett NR there were some small orchids as well as huge Spider Orchids, 9 species of common birds, Coronation Rd Barlee SF had 5 Western Thornbills, stopped on the Old Vasse Hwy in Warren NP  for 13 species but no stand outs. Camped by a water point at Dombakup and got 20 species including Dusky Woodswallow and brief calls from an Owlet Nightjar. A noisy profusion of what was most likely Bleating Froglets in the fire dam were still chorusing as I fell asleep.

Flowers around Blackwood river Rosa brook

9/10                                                                                                   267km
The froglets had quite some stamina and kept calling all night, perhaps encouraged by persistent showers that came through in the early morning, but were gone by the time I got up, some of the froglets though were still calling. After my morning stroll in the light mist I ended with 28 species, so quite a good forest site. Down to Windy Harbour, and walked up the path a ways getting Peregrine Falcon and Brush Bronzewing. Went down to Chesapeake Rd Camfield which was very muddy, but I only put it in 4wd a few times for extra security, it was a nice drive through the forest, the spot I chose to survey with a lot of heath wasn’t productive. Delany Lookout at Walpole only had Australian Raven and Red-winged Fairywren. Parry Inlet a short way off the highway netted a Western Spinebill and Caspian Tern. Morely Beach was flooded with high tide and a strong westerly wind. We ended up in the penthouse campsite at Cosy Corner East camp up the short 4wd track to a spot that overlooks the bay, had time for a stroll along the beach, got Pacific Gull, Osprey and Little Eagle. We should have been here last night for the blood moon, being in the forest we missed it.

Our cosy campsite at Cosy Bay atop the dune

10/10                                                                                                  318km
Added a few more birds on the morning stroll such as Caspian Tern and Sooty Oystercatcher, and scored a Pipit on the way out, took the easy longer route to Torbay Inlet and had a nice look at a Southern Emu-wren, Bev got a Red-eared Finch. Went to the visitor centre at Albany and recharged the camera battery in the toilet, and filled the 20L water container, couldn’t fill the camper tank because the hose fitting doesn’t fit. Had a look at Lake Seppings, getting Reed Warbler for the first time, otherwise 25 ordinary birds. Filled up with fuel at Baker’s Corner at 1.54.9c/L and up to the Stirling Ranges. At Knoll Rd we got Elegant Parrot and Western Spinebill breeding. A Fan-tailed Cuckoo at Talyuberup car park. White Gum flats had 12 species of ordinary bush birds, and Redgum Springs had a Grey Currawong which we hadn’t seen for a while. Back to the coast to Gull Rock NP, but despite staking out a likely spot til dark no special species turned up. Drove to the edge of Two People’s Bay and pulled off the road, Bev threw a tantrum saying we couldn’t stop here, and sulked in the front seat, I put the top up and had a good night’s sleep.

Stirling Ranges WA

11/10                                                                                                394km
The alarm went off at 4.30 and went down to Two People’s Bay Little Beach, as dawn broke first the Western Bristlebird, then the Western Whipbird and finally the Noisy Scrub-bird started calling, didn’t catch a glimpse of any of them. I stood rock still as I heard the Scrub-bird call as it made its way to the roadside, and held my breath in anticipation of catching that brief sight as it scampered across the road, and the little sod crossed around the corner where I couldn’t see it. Had brekkie, then went round the bay to Betty’s Beach and got another Bristlebird and Southern Emu-wren. Drove to Many Peaks campsite in a beautiful little cove with the waves crashing at the entrance sending a slow swell into the cove. Got White-browed Robin and Brown Goshawk. Up to Cheyne Beach where there were 100 Crested terns on the rocky point and a dead shearwater, probably Short-tailed, there wasn’t a lot left of it. Further up we went to Cheyne Inlet beach and got Sooty Oystercatcher and Red Wattlebird which doesn’t get on as many surveys as I thought it would. Cowellup Rd Gardner had Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and the return of White-fronted Honeyeater. Heading down Quiss Rd in Fitzgerald NP Bev spotted a Mallee Fowl, but I could only find New Holland Honeyeater and White-browed Scrubwren, not quite in the same league. Just down the road at Quiss rd 2 was an even quieter spot with only 2 New Holland Honeyeaters and a Southern Emu-wren to show for 20mins of wandering around. The spot I wanted to get into off Old Ongarup Rd was closed because of die back, so we went down to the Hammersley River to camp, I set my chair up on the rocks, amongst the myriad of New Holland Honeyeaters was a single White-cheeked Honeyeater and up the hill in the burnt heath were some Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters. On dusk a Western Whipbird called as did a Southern Scrub Robin, then I got attacked by mozzies and retreated.

heathland behind Betty’s Beach WA

12/10                                                                                                  349km
We started out with a starry night, but the clouds gathered and we had a few showers overnight. A Spotted Nightjar called briefly. In the morning it was still cloudy, but after a long and effusive dawn chorus, where I struggled to identify the calls and a morning walk I added another 7 species to get 21 all up, I had nice views of Southern Scrub Robin and Southern Emu-wren and also heard a Shy Heath-wren. Gordon Rd Ravensthorpe had 10 species, Fence Rd Jerdacttup had 9 species, Farmers Rd Munglinup had 4 species, Moonanup Rd Dalyup had 6 species including Stubble Quail. All had Yellow-throated Miner, Australian Raven and an assortment of open country birds. In Esperence we filled up the car and jerry cans with $193 worth of fuel with a Shell discount voucher, did our washing in a laundromat for $5 and bought food. Had lunch at the Esperence jetty, which in strong wind and showers I only found 6 species. Had a shower at a caravan park for $5 each and drove on to Alexander Bay to camp in a council camp for $5 at another attractive bay. It only got to 17 degrees today with a stiff southerly, which meant I kept my jacket on all day. At the campground there were some nesting Welcome Swallows in a shed, but a Brown Goshawk had discovered them and destroyed one of the nests to get at the young, it got a surprise when I entered the shed catching it in the act, and it fled.

Alexander Bay WA

13/10                                                                                                      150km
Didn’t get up til 6.30 then had a longer than usual look around, added a few more birds but nothing special. Headed east and surveys were done at Kennedy Beach Rd which had Western Spinebill, Mooniginettee for 14 species with Scarlet Robin. In to Cape Arid NP and plodded along the sandy horribly corrugated track with big muddy holes that had detours around them. Poison Creek Rd had 3 species, Cape Arid 2 had 4 species, Cape Arid 1 had 4 species including Southern Emu-wren, Nuytsland Nature reserve 1 had only 2 species, all the heathland sites had Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. Got in to Israelite Bay at 16.00, and found Hooded Plover with 3 young on the small lagoon, 15 White-fronted Chats and a White-bellied Sea-eagle. On top of a dune was a water tank that was overflowing creating a little pool that Silvereyes were coming to drink at and bathe.

Foam wash in lagoon Isrealite Bay WA

Isrealite Bay WA

14/10                                                                                                   54km
In the morning I found some waders on the beach and got Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Sanderling, Common Sandpiper and Grey-tailed Tattler, the last of which I’d seen yesterday but hadn’t been able to ID, I got a better look at it today and the yellow legs gave me an ahah! moment. Ended with 35 species. It was a very slow drive up the Gora Road, with mostly 1st and 2nd gear over the rocks, at the start was some deep sand that I had to let the tyres down to get through, once I was sure we were out of it I got Bev to pump up the tyres with the compresoer whilst I did a survey at Sheoaks Hill. At Gora Rd Cape Arid NP I got Purple-gaped Honeyeater, the Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters are still predominant in the heathland. Got to Mt Ragged just after midday and had lunch, I managed to convince Bev that the climb was worth it. In the end she did the climb easier than me, I ran out of breath and had to constantly stop, it took 1½ hours to get to the top, I’m definitely getting too old and unfit, I remember virtually sprinting up this many years ago. The new Holland Honeyeaters were predominant here and were all the way to the top where Welcome Swallows zoomed around us and a Wedge-tailed Eagle soared. The view is one of the best in Australia with Mt Ragged being an isolated mountain in a flat plain, there are other smaller rocky outcrops looking like pimples in a sea of green, with no cultivation in sight. On the way up we saw a car arrive. We were still relaxing at the top when they arrived, it was Russell and Josie, what were the chances of that? We decided to camp with them in the nearby Mt Ragged campground, as we got there the wind started picking up from the south, by 20.00 it was howling and really rocking the camper.

Atop Mt Ragged WA

15/10                                                                                                    128km
During the night the wind eventually died. The camp only had 9 species, we said our second goodbyes to Russell and Josie and departed at 7.10 and headed north. The going was easier than yesterday with the road steadily improving, the vegetation changed from heath to Mallee woodland, so we lost the Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters and gained White-fronted Honeyeaters, Balladonia Rd Cape Arid NP 1 had 6 species including Shy Heathwren and Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Jarunda Rock Hole had Varied Sitella and Gilbert’s Whistler, Bill’s Paddock had more Sitellas and Jacky Winter, out of the national park and the Mallee the site at Balladonia Rd 1 had 5 species, Nanambindia Station had 6 species and Balladonia Rd 2 had 4 species. March flies were present in large numbers occasionally hitting their painful mark, and usually dying as a result. The day was calm and got to 31 degrees. We camped at Yadadinia Rockhole, which had a small pool of water attracting a few birds like Ring-necked Parrots. I staked out the pool, sitting in my chair on the track, in the nearby shrubs were a pair of Redthroats. A cool breeze blew in at 16.45 which set the Grey Currawongs chattering.
16/10                                                                                                   325km
Added Red-backed and Sacred Kingfishers and a few other birds to make 16 species for the area. Out to the main highway and headed east. The Old Baladonia Homestead still has no Barn Owls to flush out that I could find, but did have 3 Wedge-tailed Eagles and a White-faced Heron. Did surveys at 90k east Baladonia, Oodlegabbie Rockhole, went back into Nuytland Nature reserve and did a survey just off the Eyre Hwy at Nuytsland NR Eyre Hwy 1 and only got 2 species. The land is dry and inhospitable where mainly Yellow-throated Miners and Pipits eke out a life. Drove down to Eyre Bird Observatory which cost $10 for a day visit, it’s a soft sand drive in so had to let the tyres down. Got a $2 car sticker and had a look around. Bev got Brown-headed and White-eared Honeyeaters for the first time in WA at the old telegraph station, where they have some bird baths attracting the birds in the late afternoon. We also added Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo for the trip. On the way out I did one of their survey spots at North Track and got 4 species, camped at the Eyre Bird Observatory car park, and got more Major-Mitchell’s Cockatoos. Bev pumped up the tyres again, but it overheated and destroyed the compressor blowing two fuses before she figured out something was wrong, I had to use the foot pump to do the last tyre which took ages.
17/10                                                                                                      390km
During a warm night of 25 degrees I realized that I had to fix the cigarette power outlet fuse as it charges the camper battery when the car is running, thankfully it was just the fuse that blew yesterday, and a new fuse gave us charge in the camper again. I added a few more birds such as Southern Scrub Robin and Purple-gaped Honeyeater, then off we set. Sites surveyed were: Eyre Hwy 63km west of Madura, a woodland on the Hampton Tablelands west of Madura had 9 species, a gravel pit east of Madura, a very dry gully at Mundrabilla repeater, and the Hearder Hill Repeater Rd. For most of the day it was in the high 30’s to 40 degrees with a spike of 42 degrees. At Eucla dunes Bev had an angry burst at the inhospitable conditions there, but was better after something to eat and claimed an icy pole at the Border Village nearby fixed her, with the loss of time due to the time zones we only did a survey at 60km east of the border then at around the 80km mark found a track down to a non-existent trig nme9276 on the cliff’s edge and camped, and immediately got Fairy Tern. A cold change came through at 20.30 and gave us a serious buffeting at our exposed spot, but only a drop or two of precipitation.

The camper a speck by the cliffs Eyre Hwy SA

18/10                                                                                                      397km
Ended with 9 species and set off at 9.00 across the Nullarbor, another hot day around the 40 degree mark for most of the day. The 1st site was a truck stop 103km east of the border for 8 species, next was what looks like a barren spot just east of the Nullarbor roadhouse, but I always find interesting birds here, today’s survey had Spotted Harrier and a bird I usually get here Rufous Fieldwren. Most people crossing the Nullarbor remark on the scenery, or lack of it, but they don’t know what little gems lurk quietly in the fantastically diverse low scrub. My site 23km east of Nullarbor didn’t have much, and the site 50km east of Nullarbor didn’t have much either. The woodland behind the park bay 20km west of Yalata was our lunch spot but was too dry and hot to be productive, The woodland at Coombra Track Yalata was a disappointment this time, again being too hot and dry, the site east of Yalata was also too dry and hot for the birds to be active. As we moved out of the reserve and into farmland at Cundilippy Station the birding got even worse. Most spots only had a few birds with Pipits being the predominant bird, so my spot at the Nullarbor roadhouse was the only productive spot for the day. Ended the day at an old spot on a rail reserve at Ceduna at 17.50, by 20.00 the fridge had drained the battery.
19/10                                                                                                       261km
Added only Owlet Nightjar overnight and Grey Butcherbird in the morning to have 15 species. The tide was out at my spot at the Ceduna head of bay and got Pied Oystercatcher, Red-Capped Dotterels and Red-necked Stint. Filled up the tank at $1.50.9c/L, did 580k on 50L. Spent $89 on food and went down a rough track to Acram Creek CP and got 82 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. At Deor Way Eba Anchorage we got 13 species. Went for a walk around South Head at Venus Bay and saw some Bottle-nosed Dolphins just off the cliffs. Had a lemon lime and bitters Frosty Fruits icy pole which was nice and cold and refreshing. Then went to one of my favourite spots at 3 Springs Lake Newlands CP arriving at 16.15 and soaked our feet in the small springs and had 30 species including 210 Avocets, 32 Cape Barren Geese, 570 Shelducks and 250 Banded Stilts by dark. An Emu had snuck up behind a bush as we were counting, I hadn’t seen it and it got a fright as I rounded it on my way back to the camper running full pelt until I lost sight of it.
20/10                                                                                                    354km
It was a bit of a windy night, the blustering wind rocked the camper.  Only added Hardhead and Grey Shrike-thrush to the list in the morning. I watched as a pair of Emus waded across to my side of the lake, I thought I was far enough away not to spook them, but as I moved they took off like speedboats back across the lake. Bev was falling asleep by 10.30, saying she hadn’t slept well with the rocking camper last night. At Tungketta Lake there were more Banded Stilts. I did a dry inland survey at Tooligie Rd Sheringa, choosing an abandoned farmhouse, surprisingly I ended up with 11 species including a pair off Willie Wagtails literally bouncing off the back of a Brown Falcon. At Grubbed Rd Mt Drummond I tried some forested farmland and only got 5 species, you just never know what you’re going to get, what looks like nice woodland has only a few birds whilst the crappy looking old farmyard the survey before was jumping with birds. At Kellidie Bay we stopped for lunch and got 23 species including 100 Whiskered Terns. We bypassed the national parks with their exorbitant day fees and went down to Fishery Bay and got Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, Fairy Tern and Southern Emu-wren. On the way north at Port Lincoln Bay I spotted a heap of birds on a spit and counted 2,000 Silver Gulls plus terns and cormorants. Tried another dry spot at Thorpes rd Tumby Bay up the hill a bit and got 9 species, a dead corvid swinging upside down on powerlines after it had electrocuted itself wasn’t counted, but noted. Stopped at Lipson Cove, a pleasant spot with a little island just off the coast that was a huge roost spot with Black-faced Cormorants, and an Osprey. We arrived at 16.40 so had plenty of time to relax in the late afternoon sun.
21/10                                                                                              347km
Last night the keep awake noise was the waves. A lot more Black-faced Cormorants had arrived on the island, but I didn’t add any more species mainly because the hinterland is deslolate farmland with only Singing Honeyeaters and Skylarks, even the Starlings only used the island to roost on and flew off for better pickings elsewhere. At Redbanks Beach there were a few more bush birds in the more vegetated surrounds, including Variegated Fairywren, but less seabirds. Chase Dr Cowell was unproductive, but a stop at Munyaroo CP got Bev her Blue-breasted Fairywren that she’d missed in WA. After a fruitless search for a good bakery in Wyalla we got some bread at the IGA and in the heat of the afternoon we had lunch at the still being constructed Wyalla Wetlands that nevertheless had 51 Black-tailed Native Hens, 7 Hoary-headed Grebes and a lone Black-winged Stilt. Port Augusta W Estuary was unproductive, and after a short stint with that most elusive of friends, a tail wind, we camped on a bit too much of an angle on Spring Creek Mine Rd at 16.20, and wiled away the last few hours of daylight, finding 12 species by dark.

22/10                                                                                                     398km
On a warm and windless night I got a good night’s sleep despite the angle, and got both Boobook Owl and Owlet Nightjar, added a few more species in the morning to end up with 19 species. Stopped at Gibson Hill Rd Stone Hut and got 14 species including Spotted Harrier, Brown Falcon and Black-shouldered Kite. The wind farm at Watershed Rd Brown Hill Ranges had a Red-capped Robin which was a surprise with so few trees around. Redbanks CP had Southern Whiteface, Variegated Fairywren and 9 Pipits, Just down the road at North Burra Rd South Douglas there were only Little Ravens in vast numbers accompanied by a single Magpie, which underscores the difference the quality of a habitat can have on bird diversity. At Florieton the Bluebushes were alive with Redthroat, Southern Whiteface, White-fronted Chat and White-winged Fairywren, there was also a huge population of Little Ravens here, all mostly due I think to a leaking water tank and some water troughs for stock. At my spot in Whites Dam CP I could only find a single Southern Whiteface in the heat, no water here. We got the free ferry over to Morgan CP and my spot by the lagoon had Peaceful Dove and 12 other species. A cool change was in the wings but at Brookfield CP it was still hot, so a Bee-eater and 4 other species were all I could find. Back across on the ferry and down to Blanchetown where we got Little Corellas and 13 other species. The change had come through as we drove south into a fierce wind to Swan Reach to see 150 Little Corellas and a pair of Pied Butcherbirds, amongst others. As we got in to Mannum to cross the Murray River again by free ferry for the third time today it was decidedly cool and had 25 species by dark at the free camp at Bolts Reserve.

23/10                                                                                                  317km
Ended with 40 species after my morning’s stroll, and left by 8.15 for the short drive to Waterfall Reserve for 22 species including a lone White-winged Chough, then to Swanport Wetlands for 43 species including Sacred Kingfisher, Peaceful Dove and Rufous Songlark. Down to Talem Bend Boat Ramp for 26 species including Black-tailed Native Hens. A short hop to another access to the Murray River with 25 species including Spotted Crake and Little Grassbird. Down to Frost rd Ki Ki and found Golden Whistler and Spotted Pardalote, by now it was getting warm and close to unpleasant. At Bordertown Lake there were Black-fronted Dotterel and Rainbow Lorikeets, at the virtually nonexistent rundown village of Miram there were 8 ordinary species. Down to Merwyn Swamp to camp, and had 23 species before dark including lots of Long-billed Corellas and Brown Treecreepers, some White-browed Woodswallows and Eastern Rosellas, and a lone Diamond Firetail.
24/10                                                                                                      423km
Had a look at Lawloit Hall, Stringybark Walk in Little Desert NP and Bungalaly Green Lake on the way back home.

Bird list for the trip. % is of the 311 surveys done. B is for breeding record.

• Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae 7 (2.25%) (B)
• Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis 3 (0.96%)
• Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus 5 (1.61%)
• Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae 1 (0.32%)
• Black Swan Cygnus atratus 22 (7.07%) (B)
• Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides 7 (2.25%)
• Hardhead Aythya australis 5 (1.61%)
• Australasian Shoveler Spatula rhynchotis 3 (0.96%)
• Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa 25 (8.04%) (B)
• Grey Teal Anas gracilis 28 (9.00%)
• Chestnut Teal Anas castanea 8 (2.57%)
• Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa 1 (0.32%)
• Musk Duck Biziura lobata 8 (2.57%)
• Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata 13 (4.18%) (B)
• Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata 1 (0.32%)
• Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis 4 (1.29%)
• Brown Quail Synoicus ypsilophora 1 (0.32%)
• Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1 (0.32%)
• Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 7 (2.25%)
• Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus 4 (1.29%)
• Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2 (0.64%)
• Rock Dove Columba livia 16 (5.14%)
• Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 5 (1.61%)
• Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 1 (0.32%)
• Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera 18 (5.79%)
• Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans 8 (2.57%)
• Flock Bronzewing Phaps histrionica 1 (0.32%)
• Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes 49 (15.76%)
• Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata 4 (1.29%)
• Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida 9 (2.89%)
• Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis 20 (6.43%)
• Black-eared Cuckoo Chalcites osculans 1 (0.32%)
• Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites lucidus 3 (0.96%)
• Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis 12 (3.86%)
• Pallid Cuckoo Heteroscenes pallidus 5 (1.61%)
• Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis 2 (0.64%)
• Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides 2 (0.64%)
• Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus 2 (0.64%)
• Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus 9 (2.89%)
• Australian Spotted Crake Porzana fluminea 1 (0.32%)
• Spotless Crake Zapornia tabuensis 1 (0.32%)
• Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 10 (3.22%) (B)
• Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa 3 (0.96%)
• Black-tailed Native-hen Tribonyx ventralis 7 (2.25%)
• Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 17 (5.47%)
• Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris 9 (2.89%)
• Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus 7 (2.25%)
• Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus 4 (1.29%)
• Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae 7 (2.25%)
• Black-winged Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus 12 (3.86%)
• Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus 15 (4.82%) (B)
• Hooded Plover Thinornis cucullatus 2 (0.64%) (B)
• Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops 8 (2.57%)
• Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 20 (6.43%)
• Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus 2 (0.64%)
• Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 3 (0.96%)
• Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata 5 (1.61%)
• Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 2 (0.64%)
• Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 11 (3.54%)
• Sanderling Calidris alba 2 (0.64%)
• Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 3 (0.96%)
• Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes 1 (0.32%)
• Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 4 (1.29%)
• Little Button-quail Turnix velox 4 (1.29%)
• Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae 50 (16.08%)
• Pacific Gull Larus pacificus 14 (4.50%)
• Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 1 (0.32%)
• Fairy Tern Sternula nereis 4 (1.29%)
• Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 15 (4.82%)
• Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 16 (5.14%)
• Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii 12 (3.86%)
• Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus 27 (8.68%)
• Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 1 (0.32%)
• White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica 5 (1.61%)
• Great Egret Ardea alba 6 (1.93%)
• White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae 21 (6.75%)
• Little Egret Egretta garzetta 4 (1.29%)
• Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra 1 (0.32%)
• Australian White Ibis Threskiornis moluccus 10 (3.22%)
• Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 12 (3.86%)
• Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes 6 (1.93%)
• Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia 1 (0.32%)
• Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos 16 (5.14%)
• Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 11 (3.54%)
• Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris 19 (6.11%)
• Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens 4 (1.29%)
• Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius 12 (3.86%)
• Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae 7 (2.25%)
• Osprey Pandion haliaetus 5 (1.61%)
• Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris 12 (3.86%)
• Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax 8 (2.57%)
• Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides 3 (0.96%)
• Swamp Harrier Circus approximans 9 (2.89%)
• Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis 3 (0.96%)
• Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus 8 (2.57%)
• Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus 1 (0.32%)
• White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 2 (0.64%)
• Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 22 (7.07%) (B)
• Black Kite Milvus migrans 14 (4.50%)
• Southern Boobook Ninox boobook 8 (2.57%)
• Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 17 (5.47%)
• Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus 7 (2.25%)
• Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygius 9 (2.89%)
• Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae 21 (6.75%)
• Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides 30 (9.65%)
• Australian Hobby Falco longipennis 7 (2.25%)
• Brown Falcon Falco berigora 12 (3.86%)
• Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 (0.32%)
• Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus 1 (0.32%)
• Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii 1 (0.32%)
• Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo Zanda baudinii 5 (1.61%)
• Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum 1 (0.32%)
• Galah Eolophus roseicapilla 56 (18.01%)
• Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri 1 (0.32%)
• Long-billed Corella Cacatua tenuirostris 6 (1.93%)
• Western Corella Cacatua pastinator 1 (0.32%)
• Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea 10 (3.22%)
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 5 (1.61%)
• Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus 2 (0.64%)
• Princess Parrot Polytelis alexandrae 1 (0.32%)
• Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus 13 (4.18%)
• Mulga Parrot Psephotellus varius 5 (1.61%)
• Red-capped Parrot Purpureicephalus spurius 4 (1.29%) (B)
• Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans 15 (4.82%)
• Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius 5 (1.61%)
• Western Rosella Platycercus icterotis 7 (2.25%)
• Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarius 48 (15.43%)
• Bourke’s Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii 2 (0.64%)
• Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma 5 (1.61%)
• Elegant Parrot Neophema elegans 4 (1.29%)
• Scarlet-chested Parrot Neophema splendida 4 (1.29%)
• Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna 3 (0.96%)
• Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta porphyrocephala 9 (2.89%)
• Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus 1 (0.32%)
• Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus 27 (8.68%) (B)
• Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus 1 (0.32%)
• Western Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus guttatus 1 (0.32%)
• White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea 2 (0.64%)
• White-browed Treecreeper Climacteris affinis 1 (0.32%) (B)
• Rufous Treecreeper Climacteris rufus 2 (0.64%)
• Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus 4 (1.29%)
• Red-winged Fairy-wren Malurus elegans 15 (4.82%)
• Blue-breasted Fairy-wren Malurus pulcherrimus 3 (0.96%)
• Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti 19 (6.11%)
• Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus 29 (9.32%)
• Splendid Fairy-wren Malurus splendens 29 (9.32%)
• White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus 30 (9.65%)
• Southern Emu-wren Stipiturus malachurus 7 (2.25%)
• Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus 1 (0.32%)
• Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus 2 (0.64%)
• Western Bristlebird Dasyornis longirostris 2 (0.64%)
• Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti 4 (1.29%)
• Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 22 (7.07%)
• Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus 2 (0.64%)
• New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae 50 (16.08%)
• White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris niger 1 (0.32%)
• White-eared Honeyeater Nesoptilotis leucotis 7 (2.25%)
• Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris 8 (2.57%)
• White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus 8 (2.57%)
• Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Glyciphila melanops 11 (3.54%)
• Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris 2 (0.64%)
• Western Spinebill Acanthorhynchus superciliosus 6 (1.93%)
• Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor 25 (8.04%) (B)
• Orange Chat Epthianura aurifrons 9 (2.89%)
• White-fronted Chat Epthianura albifrons 8 (2.57%)
• Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis 46 (14.79%)
• Western Wattlebird Anthochaera lunulata 1 (0.32%)
• Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera 2 (0.64%)
• Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata 59 (18.97%)
• Singing Honeyeater Gavicalis virescens 77 (24.76%)
• Grey-headed Honeyeater Ptilotula keartlandi 1 (0.32%)
• Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Ptilotula ornata 9 (2.89%)
• Grey-fronted Honeyeater Ptilotula plumula 27 (8.68%) (B)
• White-plumed Honeyeater Ptilotula penicillata 31 (9.97%)
• White-fronted Honeyeater Purnella albifrons 43 (13.83%) (B)
• Yellow-faced Honeyeater Caligavis chrysops 8 (2.57%)
• Purple-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus cratitius 2 (0.64%)
• Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala 8 (2.57%) (B)
• Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula 40 (12.86%) (B)
• Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus 13 (4.18%)
• Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus 70 (22.51%)
• Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca 20 (6.43%)
• Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris 57 (18.33%) (B)
• Redthroat Pyrrholaemus brunneus 5 (1.61%)
• Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Calamanthus pyrrhopygius 1 (0.32%)
• Shy Heathwren Calamanthus cautus 4 (1.29%)
• Rufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris 5 (1.61%)
• Yellow-throated Scrubwren Sericornis citreogularis 1 (0.32%)
• White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis 41 (13.18%)
• Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis 16 (5.14%)
• Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa 20 (6.43%)
• Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis 37 (11.90%) (B)
• Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla 11 (3.54%)
• Slaty-backed Thornbill Acanthiza robustirostris 4 (1.29%)
• Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis 14 (4.50%)
• Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides 1 (0.32%)
• Western Thornbill Acanthiza inornata 4 (1.29%)
• White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus 25 (8.04%) (B)
• Chestnut-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus ruficeps 1 (0.32%)
• Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 4 (1.29%)
• Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae 23 (7.40%)
• White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor 14 (4.50%)
• Chestnut Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castanotus 4 (1.29%)
• Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax 1 (0.32%)
• Cinnamon Quail-thrush Cinclosoma cinnamomeum 5 (1.61%) (B)
• Gilbert’s Whistler Pachycephala inornata 2 (0.64%)
• Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 34 (10.93%) (B)
• Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis 24 (7.72%)
• Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica 81 (26.05%)
• Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis 37 (11.90%)
• Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis 2 (0.64%)
• Chirruping Wedgebill Psophodes cristatus 7 (2.25%)
• Chiming Wedgebill Psophodes occidentalis 17 (5.47%)
• Pied Currawong Strepera graculina 2 (0.64%)
• Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor 15 (4.82%)
• Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen 79 (25.40%) (B)
• Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis 6 (1.93%) (B)
• Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus 39 (12.54%)
• Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus 20 (6.43%) (B)
• White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus 1 (0.32%)
• Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus 6 (1.93%)
• Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus 24 (7.72%) (B)
• Little Woodswallow Artamus minor 1 (0.32%)
• Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 73 (23.47%) (B)
• Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa 51 (16.40%)
• Little Crow Corvus bennetti 16 (5.14%)
• Little Raven Corvus mellori 38 (12.22%)
• Forest Raven Corvus tasmanicus 7 (2.25%)
• Australian Raven Corvus coronoides 64 (20.58%)
• Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta 2 (0.64%)
• Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca 42 (13.50%) (B)
• White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos 2 (0.64%)
• Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea 1 (0.32%)
• Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor 5 (1.61%)
• Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii 18 (5.79%) (B)
• Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans 8 (2.57%)
• Southern Scrub-robin Drymodes brunneopygia 4 (1.29%)
• Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis 2 (0.64%)
• White-breasted Robin Quoyornis georgianus 5 (1.61%)
• Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata 7 (2.25%) (B)
• Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 3 (0.96%)
• Red-eared Firetail Stagonopleura oculata 3 (0.96%)
• Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata 1 (0.32%)
• Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis 4 (1.29%)
• Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata 37 (11.90%)
• House Sparrow Passer domesticus 26 (8.36%) (B)
• Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae 34 (10.93%)
• European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 9 (2.89%)
• Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 16 (5.14%)
• Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis 7 (2.25%)
• Brown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis 1 (0.32%)
• Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi 10 (3.22%)
• Little Grassbird Poodytes gramineus 10 (3.22%)
• Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis 10 (3.22%)
• White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosterna 6 (1.93%)
• Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel 5 (1.61%) (B)
• Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans 27 (8.68%) (B)
• Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena 81 (26.05%) (B)
• Silvereye Zosterops lateralis 60 (19.29%)
• Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 42 (13.50%) (B)
• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 2 (0.64%)
• Common Blackbird Turdus merula 17 (5.47%)
• Black Duck-Mallard hybrid 1 (0.32%)
• White-tailed Black-Cockatoo spp 2 (0.64%)

If you would like to contribute the the well being of this world, our world, your world, an easy and effective way to do it is to join a quality environmental group. There are many spread across the world all plugging away trying to make the world a better place for wildlife. We belong to Birdlife Australia, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC). You can donate your time and or money to these and many others knowing that the world will be a slightly better place because of your effort.